World agrees to phase out fastest growing climate pollutants

Gland, Switzerland - More than 170 countries today agreed to amend the Montreal Protocol to allow the phase out of hydroflurocarbons (HFCs).

HFCs, used mainly in air conditioners, insulants and refrigeration equipment, are the fastest growing greenhouse gases in many countries. The agreement to limit their growth - and rapidly transition to climate-friendly alternatives - will help avoid warming by up to 0.5°C by the end of this century. It will also increase chances of meeting the objective of limiting the global temperature increase to 1.5°C as outlined in the Paris Agreement.

“This is great news for the climate. It sends a powerful signal that our governments are serious about tackling climate change, coming as it does on the heels of the ratification of the Paris Agreement, a new deal to cap aviation emissions, and just weeks before UN climate talks resume. Our path to action is clear and we now need to see the promises of these agreements realized in urgent actions on the ground.”